Travel tips · Portland · United States
Portland travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Spicypepper999, CC0
Quick answer
Portland is famously informal, environmentally minded and independent-spirited — 'Keep Portland Weird' is an unofficial motto. Cycling, local food and drink, small businesses and outdoor activity are central to life here, and the city's many bridges across the Willamette give it its 'Bridgetown' nickname.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe and excellent to drink; it comes mainly from the protected…
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Watch for cyclists in the bike lanes before opening car doors or crossing.
- Sort waste into recycling and compost; many places provide clear bins.
- Tip at restaurants, bars and food carts with table service.
- Dress casually; very few restaurants expect formal clothing.
- Ask before photographing people at markets and events.
- Book Portland Japanese Garden ahead: Timed tickets online are recommended on weekends and in autumn foliage season.
- Oregon has no general sales tax, so shopping and dining cost less than the same price tag elsewhere.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares; a small tip at food carts and coffee shops is common but optional.
Language
English is spoken.
What to wear
Casual and layered; a waterproof jacket is more useful than an umbrella from October to May.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe and excellent to drink; it comes mainly from the protected Bull Run watershed near Mount Hood.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- US SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy; free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, libraries and at the airport.
- Time zone
- America/Los Angeles
Car break-ins are common, including at trailheads in the Gorge, so leave nothing visible in parked cars. Parts of downtown and Old Town have visible homelessness and drug use; stay on busier streets at night.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Portland?
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares; a small tip at food carts and coffee shops is common but optional.
+Can you drink the tap water in Portland?
Tap water is safe and excellent to drink; it comes mainly from the protected Bull Run watershed near Mount Hood.
+What plugs are used in Portland?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Portland?
English.